SALLY LEEF
Summary
Highly skilled banking professional with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, both in New Zealand and internationally. Experienced in various roles within the banking industry, such as executive assistant, personal assistant, regional support, bank manager, and lending specialist. Possesses exceptional organisational skills, effective task prioritisation, and a proven track record of meeting tight deadlines. Demonstrates expertise in assisting with organisational management and delivering creative solutions that enhance strategic outcomes and goals. Known for strong relationship-building skills, effective communication abilities, and an unwavering work ethic.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Assistant to General Manager CBW
Westpac New Zealand
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimise time.
- Maintained confidentiality with sensitive documents, ensuring proper storage and distribution as needed.
- Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
- Streamlined executive communication by managing emails, phone calls, and scheduling appointments.
- Served as a liaison between departments to facilitate effective communication throughout the company.
- Organised and coordinated conferences and monthly meetings.
- Delivered exceptional organisational support enabling executive focus on high-level strategic initiatives fostering company growth.
- Enhanced executive productivity by managing email correspondence and prioritising critical issues.
- Provided professional administrative support during board meetings, including agenda preparation and minute-taking duties.
- Boosted office efficiency through proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite applications in daily tasks.
Personal Assistant to the Head of Customer Experience
Westpac New Zealand
07.2022 - 08.2023
- Supported Head of Customer Experience and Leadership team across Consumer, Wealth, and Contact Centre teams.
- Key contributor in optimising Head of Customer Experience efficiency.
- Responsible for effective planning and administration to enable the execution of business strategy and team initiatives
- Developed and revised important documents and presentations.
- Organised and structured calendar effectively to support priority-based decision-making.
- Acted as liaison point for business and supported leadership team.
- Led Regional Support team aiding managers in hygiene and compliance management.
- Handled administrative tasks with precision to ensure smooth operations.
- Performed expense management and reconciliation for the leadership team.
- Supported mailbox management by drafting communications.
- Coordinated Reward and Recognition programs
- Developed robust rapport with internal and external customers
- Administered social media initiatives for Northern region via Yammer, supporting broader communication across distribution
- Demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Office tools, including Teams, Skype, and OneNote.
Regional Support
Westpac New Zealand
06.2013 - 07.2022
- Support the Regional Manager administrative tasks
- Assist the Regional Manager with certain operational functions of the Region
- Support12 Branches, Bank Managers & ABMs with various branch related issues
- Collate and report on various regional objectives
- Manage invoices and pCard reconciliations and approvals
- Support the Regional Manager with meetings and calendar bookings
- Co-ordinate events for the Region
- Be flexible and available for broad and ad hoc projects or tasks that support the overall success of the Regional & Organisational goals
- Key achievements:
- Monthly legend winner
- Various legends nominations from team, manager, and business partners
- Being part of and supporting top performing Region in NZ
- Creating snap shot dashboard for leadership team to monitor key compliance/hygiene metrics
- Assisted with successful talent recruitment days for region and branches
Bank Manager
Westpac New Zealand
06.2011 - 05.2013
- Creating a customer centric culture
- Team performance management
- Coaching and developing team
- Lending knowledge and skills
- Meeting KPI’s
- Key achievements:
- Strong compliance and operational rhythm
- Outreach with local business
- Lifting branch from bottom of leader board to being in the Regions top3 at EOFY
- Coaching my team to become high performers
- Passed Quality Assurance checks
Customer Banking Consultant
Westpac New Zealand
12.2009 - 06.2011
- Critical part of Branch success
- Meeting with customers to discuss banking needs
- Having strong conversations with customers to uncover needs and help met their financial goals
- Lending and Investment knowledge
- Relationship building and management
- Key achievements:
- Strong sales performance
- Invited to be part of the Future Leaders Programme
Customer Service Officer
ASB Bank New Zealand
07.2009 - 12.2009
- Being on front counter and greeting customers
- Answering and resolving customer queries
- Referring customers to specialists
- Branch cash & ATM management
- Foreign exchange
- Returned from London - Short term role at ASB before being contacted by Westpac NZ careers department and offered Customer Banking Consultant role
Customer Service Representative
ANZ NZ and Australia (Transfer)
07.2009 - 12.2009
- Being on front counter and greeting customers
- Answering and resolving customer queries
- Referring customers to specialists
- Branch cash & ATM management
- Foreign exchange
- Key achievements:
- Top referrer of the month
- Offered Personal banking training
Assistant Accountant
BMI Publications LTD – London UK
07.2008 - 07.2009
- Credit control management
- Invoicing for magazine publications and advertising
- Web bookings
- Advertising & editorial reconciliation
- Maintenance of client’s accounts
- Involved in Travel conferences across UK
Assistant Bank Manager / Senior Personal Banker
ANZ Bank, Australia
01.2006 - 07.2008
- Critical role in branch success
- Achieving main bank customer strategy
- Deliver revenue growth by deepening customer relationships
- Coach and support team
- Manage compliance and cash operations of branch
- Key achievements:
- Selected for Academy programme mentoring / working with senior manager for development plan
- Top Wealth referrer
- Bank Manager at Royal Bank Branch on weekends
Personal Banker
ANZ Bank, Australia
06.2005 - 06.2006
- Provide total needs solutions to customers
- Knowledge of ANZ products and services
- Leading customer service standards
- Knowledge of CAP & I-Know Banking systems
- Problem solving and complaint resolution
- Key achievements:
- FSRA Accreditation Level of Advice – Advice on Tier2 Products & Personal Advice
- Top monthly sales performer of the branch
- State awards winner / Top performer of the half
Education
Diploma of Financial Services - undefined
FINSIA
FSRA Accreditation Level of Advice - undefined
ANZ Bank
NCEA Level1,2 &3 - undefined
Epsom Girls Grammar School
01.2004
Skills
- Over 15 years banking industry experience
- 9 Years’ experience in a Assistant roles including c-suite EA, PA and Regional Support
- 5 Years previous leadership experience
- Expertise in Microsoft Office applications
- Strong Calendar and Mailbox management skills
- Strong Relationship management and communication skills
- Knowledge of Power-bi and Track-it reporting
- Risk and compliance awareness
- Decision-making and sound judgment
- Sales and relationship management
- Experience in complex corporate environments
Accomplishments
- Monthly Legends winner / Westpac
- Westpac Bank Manager role - Lifting branch from bottom of leader board to being in the Regions top3 EOFY
- Invited to be part of the Future Leaders Programme - Westpac CBC role
Timeline
Executive Assistant to General Manager CBW
Westpac New Zealand
08.2023 - 05.2024
Personal Assistant to the Head of Customer Experience
Westpac New Zealand
07.2022 - 08.2023
Regional Support
Westpac New Zealand
06.2013 - 07.2022
Bank Manager
Westpac New Zealand
06.2011 - 05.2013
Customer Banking Consultant
Westpac New Zealand
12.2009 - 06.2011
Customer Service Officer
ASB Bank New Zealand
07.2009 - 12.2009
Customer Service Representative
ANZ NZ and Australia (Transfer)
07.2009 - 12.2009
Assistant Accountant
BMI Publications LTD – London UK
07.2008 - 07.2009
Assistant Bank Manager / Senior Personal Banker
ANZ Bank, Australia
01.2006 - 07.2008
Personal Banker
ANZ Bank, Australia
06.2005 - 06.2006
Diploma of Financial Services - undefined
FINSIA
FSRA Accreditation Level of Advice - undefined
ANZ Bank
NCEA Level1,2 &3 - undefined
Epsom Girls Grammar School
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